Nautilus Estate — Attraction in South Island

Really disappointing experience after arriving from Forrest. The young woman serving us was friendly enough but we were given an incredibly basic tasting service, as in the 4x wines came intermittently, our host was confused about which wine we were up to and no explanation was given about the wine aside from which wine it actually was. I've never been to a tasting before where it was simply poured with no explanation about tasting notes etc. The woman who served our platter had walked away before we could even answer her question about whether we needed anything else and when we went to pay, the third woman had no idea what we were paying for, was quite cold in her communication and was already in conversation with another staff member when we thanked her after our transaction went through. I heard one staff member saying how busy they were (it was a public holiday so definitely a steady crowd but nothing crazy) but in hospitality that is never an excuse for poor service. Agree with previous review about expecting more for a $30 platter also. Probably our most disappointing tasting...

Loved the Nautilus experience from the moment I walked through the cellar door...Maria your friendly welcome and passionate knowledge, plus the stunning wine was the best start possible to a few glorious days of tastings in the Marlborough.

While I throughly enjoyed each tasting, faves were the creamy Cuvée Marlborough bubbles, the uniqueness of the not too sweet not too dry Albariño a first for me but definitely not the last. La grande finale was a stunning limited release Chairman’s Reserve Pinot Noir a standout in a region not usually known for reds, these ones are going straight to the trophy room (aka the cellar).

Nautilus is a great example of Marlboroughs diversity, a must do if you are a true wine lover!!

Thank you again Maria for being so lovely and popping over to see me at dinner :):) hope to see you again...

Our visit to Nautilus Estate was a fantastic experience. Catharina and Amy were incredibly passionate and enthusiastic, delivering their presentation with genuine warmth and expertise. Their dedication to their craft was evident, making the entire experience engaging and enjoyable.

The wines themselves were outstanding, especially the Oaked Chardonnay and the “Paper” Sauvignon Blanc. The Chardonnay offered a beautifully rich profile with well-integrated oak, while the Paper Sauvignon Blanc impressed with its freshness and complexity.

Overall, Nautilus Estate is an absolute must-visit. The combination of exceptional wines and the enthusiastic, knowledgeable presentation made it a highlight. Highly...